Sudan: Interior Minister requests Interpol to arrest Darfur rebels. Central African Republic: Seleka rebel coalition seizes capital Bangui - CAR president flees to DR Congo - France sends troops to CAR (UPDATE 1: CAR president flees to Cameroon)

SUDAN'S Interior Minister has requested Interpol to arrest the leaders of three Darfur rebel groups, namely:  JEM, SLM-Abdul Wahid and SLA-Minni Minawi.  Reportedly, the three groups have recently formed an alliance with the SPLM-N -the revolutionary front alliance- with the aim of toppling the democratically elected Government of Sudan. 

Meanwhile, in Central African Republic (CAR), the Seleka rebel coalition appears to have seized CAR's capital city Bangui.  More than 170,000 people are estimated to have been displaced within CAR and others are fleeing to Chad and to DRC.  CAR President Bozize is said to have fled to DRC.  France announced on Sunday afternoon (24 March 2013) that it would be sending another 350 troops to CAR to join the 250 already there.  It is expected that the extra troops may be redeployed from Mali, where France has been fighting an Islamist insurgency.  The French have called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the deteriorating situation.

Further details here below.

Sudan's interior minister requests Interpol to arrest Darfur rebels

KHARTOUM, Sunday, 24 March 2013 (Xinhua) - Sudanese Interior Minister Ibrahim Mahmoud has requested the Interpol to arrest leaders of the rebel movements in Sudan's Darfur region, Khartoum Almeghar Alsyasi daily reported.

The paper quoted the minister as saying that "the Darfur rebels are criminals that must be pursued by the Interpol and brought to justice."

Mahmoud further urged the rebel movements to join the peace negotiations, adding that the rebels targeted the citizens and engaged in criminal behavior for which they should be punished, according to the report.

He also noted that all the Darfur people are rejecting the rebellion.

Three Darfur rebel movements are rejecting to sit down at the negotiation table with the Sudanese government including the Justice and Equality  Movement (JEM), the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA)/Abdul-Wahid Mohamed Nur faction and the SLA/Minni Minawi faction.

The three movements have recently formed an alliance with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector -the revolutionary front alliance- with the aim to topple the government.

The African Union Peace and Security Council has recently urged the Darfur armed movements to join the negotiations to reach a peaceful settlement for the conflict in the region.

Source:  English.news.cn 2013-03-24; 16:23:02.  Editor: Hou Qiang
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/africa/2013-03/24/c_132258352.htm
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Central African Republic (CAR):  Rebels seize CAR's capital city

• Seleka rebel coalition seizes Bangui, the capital city of CAR 

•  CAR President Francois Bozize is said to have fled to DR Congo 

• 170,000+ people displaced in CAR and others fleeing to Chad and to DR Congo

• CAR has extensive deposits of uranium, crude oil, gold and diamonds

According to the below copied report from Sky News in the UK, the president of the Central African Republic (CAR) has fled to neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the Seleka rebel coalition seizes CAR's capital city Bangui.

France announced on Sunday afternoon (24 March) it would be sending another 350 troops to CAR to join the 250 already there.  It is expected that the extra troops may be redeployed from Mali, where France has been fighting an Islamist insurgency.  The French have called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the deteriorating situation.

Note that the report ends by saying:  "CAR regularly languishes closes to the bottom of the lists of the world's poorest countries despite extensive deposits of uranium, crude oil, gold and diamonds".

Also, according to the below copied report from BBC News online, a Paris-based rebel spokesman Eric Massi told AFP news agency that the rebels had secured Bangui and military camps and were deploying across the capital "to launch security operations and prevent looting".  But Amy Martin of  the UN's humanitarian agency, OCHA, told the BBC World Service that looting was happening, and more than 170,000 people are estimated to have been displaced within CAR and others are fleeing to Chad and to DRC.

South African peacekeepers in CAR to support CAR government troops suffered casualties but failed to stop the rebel advance.  Observers say CAR President Francois Bozize kept his army weak because he was afraid of a military coup.  He came to power himself in a coup in 2003.  CAR, which has a population of about 4.5 million, has been hit by a series of rebellions since independence from France in 1960.

Full story at Congo Watch (a sister site of Sudan Watch) Monday, 25 March 2013:  http://congowatch.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/central-african-republic-seleka-rebel.html
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UPDATE 1 on Monday, 25 March 2013; 3:15pm UK:

C. African Republic president flees to Cameroon
YAOUNDE, Cameroon (Associated Press) - The president of CAR fled to neighboring Cameroon on Monday, as the rebels who overthrew him began squabbling who would now lead the impoverished nation long wracked by rebellions.   The government of Cameroon confirmed Monday [25 March] that Bozize is seeking "temporary" refuge there before leaving for another unspecified country.  Full story at:  http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/21782944/c-african-rebel-consider-me-head-of-state

Situation in the Central African Republic
WASHINGTON, 25 March 2013/(APO)/ - US Department of State Press Statement: http://appablog.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/situation-in-the-central-african-republic-2/

Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General on the situation in the Central African Republic
NEW YORK, 25 March 2013/ (APO)/ – The Secretary-General condemns the unconstitutional seizure of power that took place in the Central African Republic (CAR) on 24 March 2013 and calls for the swift restoration of constitutional order. He reiterates that the Libreville Agreements, negotiated by the Heads of States and Government of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), remain the most viable framework to ensure durable peace and stability in the country.  Full story at:  http://appablog.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/statement-attributable-to-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-on-the-situation-in-the-central-african-republic/
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FULL TEXT: Nine Agreements between Sudan and South Sudan Sept. 2012 re: Cooperation, Security, Borders, Cross Border Trade, Banking, Post Service Benefits, Citizenship and Status of Nationals, Certain Economic Matters, Oil; plus two Agreements March 2013 re: Implementation Modalities for Security Arrangements & Adoption of Implementation Matrix incl. Abyei Area (TASA)

ON 27 September 2012, nine agreements between Sudan and South Sudan were signed, under the auspices of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.  The nine agreements (links to which are listed here below) concern:  Cooperation, Oil, Security, Nationals, Post Service Benefits, Trade, Banking, Border Issues, Certain Economic Matters.

On Friday 08 March 2013, an "Agreement on Implementation Modalities" was signed between Sudan and South Sudan at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) in Addis Ababa.  The agreement consists of a detailed plan and timetable for the full implementation of all the elements of the "Agreement on Security Arrangements" between Sudan and South Sudan signed on 27 September 2012. 

The "Agreement on Implementation Modalities" commits Sudan and South Sudan to a set of actions beginning on “D‐Day”, Sunday 10 March 2013, including unconditional withdrawal of all forces to their side of the Safe Demilitarised Border Zone (SDBZ) and the deployment of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM), with logistical support and logistical protection provided by the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

The two Governments committed themselves to implementing these steps in an unconditional and coordinated manner.  The signing of the "Agreement on Implementation Modalities" removes the sole remaining obstacle to the full implementation of the nine agreements signed by the two Presidents on 27 September 2012.   

Here below are links to a copy of each of the nine agreements, followed by a link to the agreement on modalities for the implementation of the "Agreement on Security Arrangements" between Sudan and South Sudan, plus a link to an agreement entitled "Adoption of Implementation Matrix by The Republic of the Sudan and The Republic of South Sudan" signed in Addis Ababa on Tuesday 12 March 2013.

SUDAN AND SOUTH SUDAN'S NINE BILATERAL AGREEMENTS 
SIGNED ON 27 SEPTEMBER 2012

- The Cooperation Agreement
- Security Arrangements
- Borders
- Cross Border Trade
- Banking
- Post Service Benefits
- Citizenship and the Status of Nationals
- Certain Economic Matters
- Oil

The Cooperation Agreement

Full text of the 27 September 2012 Cooperation Agreement creating a vehicle for ratification of the eight other agreements by national assemblies within forty days and committing to expeditiously completing negotiations on the disputed and claimed areas.  Agreement provides that the AUHIP will continue to engage on the issue of Abyei with the African Union and the UN Security Council.

Title:  The Cooperation Agreement between The Republic of the Sudan and The Republic of South Sudan
Date:  Addis Ababa, 27 September 2012
Signed by:
H.E. Omar Hassan Al Bashir, President of the Republic of the Sudan, On behalf of The Government of the Republic of Sudan.
H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Repbulic of South Sudan, On behalf of The Government of the Republic of South Sudan. 
Witnessed by:
H.E. Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, Chairperson, African Union High Level Implementation Panel, On behalf of the AUHIP.
H.E. Haile Mariam Dessalegne, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, On behalf of the Intergovernmental Authority for Development.
View full copy online at: 
http://www.rssnegotiationteam.org/cooperation-framework.html - or: 
http://sites.tufts.edu/reinventingpeace/files/2012/09/The-Cooperation-Agreement-Between-Sudan-and-South-Sudan0001.pdf

Security Arrangements

Full text of the 27 September 2012 Agreement on Security Arrangements, safe demilitarised border zone and special arrangements for complete demilitarisation of 14 Mile area.

Title:  Agreement on Security Arrangements between The Republic of the Sudan and The Republic of South Sudan
Date:  Addis Ababa, 27 September 2012
Signed by: 
H.E. Lt Gen (PSC) Eng. Abdulrahim Mohamed Hussien, Minister of Defence, On behalf of The Republic of the Sudan. 
H.E. John Kong Nyuon, Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, On behalf of The Republic of South Sudan.
Witnessed by: 
H.E. General Abdusalami Abubakar, On behalf of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel for Sudan.
View full copy online at:
http://www.rssnegotiationteam.org/security-arrangements.html - or:
http://sites.tufts.edu/reinventingpeace/files/2012/09/Agreement-on-Security-Arrangements-2709120001.pdf

Borders

Full text of the 27 September 2012 agreement to "soft border" principles and commitment to demarcate the border through a joint demarcation committee.

Title:  Agreement between The Republic of the Sudan and The Republic of South Sudan on Border Issues
Date:  Addis Ababa, 27 September 2012
Signed by:
H.E. Idriss Abdel Gadir, On behalf of The Republic of the Sudan. 
H.E. Pagan Amum Okiech, On behalf of The Republic of South Sudan.
Witnessed by:  H.E. Pierre Buyoya, On behalf of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel.
View copy online at: 
http://www.rssnegotiationteam.org/borders.html - or:
http://sites.tufts.edu/reinventingpeace/files/2012/09/Agreement-on-Border-Issues-2709120001.pdf

Cross Border Trade

Full text of the 27 September 2012 agreement committing to establish a joint ministerial committee on trade relations to address bilateral trade questions including customs cooperation, banking relations, combating cross-border smuggling and money-laundering, trade related dispute mechanisms and usage of ports for non-oil goods.

Title:  Agreement on Trade and Trade Related Issues between The Republic of the Sudan and The Republic of Sudan Sudan
Date:  Addis Ababa, 27 September 2012
Signed by:
H.E. Idriss Abdel Gadir, On behalf of The Republic of the Sudan. 
H.E. Pagan Amum Okiech, On behalf of The Republic of South Sudan.
Witnessed by:  H.E. Pierre Buyoya, On behalf of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel.
View full copy online at: 
http://www.rssnegotiationteam.org/cross-border-trade.html - or:
http://sites.tufts.edu/reinventingpeace/files/2012/09/Agreement-on-trade-Sudan-South-Sudan-2709120001.pdf

Banking

Full text of the 27 September 2012 agreement to establish Joint Central Banks Committee and confirming the protection of the rights of commercial banks operating in both countries.

Title:  Agreement on a Framework for Cooperation on Central Banking Issues between The Republic of the Sudan and The Republic of South Sudan
Date:  Addis Ababa, 27 September 2012
Signed by: 
H.E. Idriss Abdel Gadir, On behalf of The Republic of the Sudan.
H.E. Pagan Amum Okiech, On behalf of The Republic of South Sudan.
Witnessed by:
H.E. Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, Chairperson, African Union High Level Implementation Panel, On behalf of the AUHIP.
View full copy online at:
http://www.rssnegotiationteam.org/banking.html - or:
http://sites.tufts.edu/reinventingpeace/files/2012/09/Agreement-on-Banking-2709120001.pdf

Post Service Benefits

Full text of the 27 September 2012 agreement recognising reciprocal obligation to pay pensioners benefits notwithstanding change in citizenship and commitment to establish Joint Technical Committee on Pensions.

Title:  Framework Agreement to Facilitate Payment of Post Service Benefits between The Republic of the Sudan and The Repubic of Sudan Sudan
Date:  Addis Ababa, 27 September 2012
Signed by:
H.E. Idriss Abdel Gadir, On behalf of The Republic of the Sudan. 
H.E. Pagan Amum Okiech, On behalf of The Republic of South Sudan.
Witnessed by: 
H.E. General Abdusalami Abubakar, On behalf of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel.
View full copy online at: 
http://www.rssnegotiationteam.org/post-service-benefits.html - or:
http://sites.tufts.edu/reinventingpeace/files/2012/09/Agreement-on-Post-Service-Benefits-SudanSouth-S0001.pdf

Certain Economic Matters

Full text of the 27 September 2012 agreement between the parties that Republic of Sudan retain all external debt liabilities and assets as predecessor state with corresponding commitment to joint-creditor outreach strategy.

Title:  Agreement between The Republic of the Sudan and The Republic of South Sudan on Certain Economic Matters
Date:  Addis Ababa, 27 September 2012
Signed by: 
H.E. Idriss Abdel Gadir, On behalf of The Republic of the Sudan.
H.E. Pagan Amum Okiech, On behalf of The Republic of South Sudan.
Witnessed by: H.E. Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, Chairperson, African Union High Level Implementation Panel, On behalf of the AUHIP.
View copy online at:
http://www.rssnegotiationteam.org/certain-economic-matters.html - or:
http://sites.tufts.edu/reinventingpeace/files/2012/09/Agreement-on-Certain-Economic-Matters-2709120001.pdf

Citizenship and the Status of Nationals

Full text of the 27 September 2012 agreement affirming mutual commitment to recognising the four freedoms of nationals of the other state and committing to establish a Joint High Level Committee to oversee adoption and implementation of relevant measures.

Title:  Framework Agreement on the Status of Nationals of the Other State and Related Matters between The Republic of the Sudan and The Republic of South Sudan
Date:  Addis Ababa, 27 September 2012
Signed by:
H.E. Idriss Abdel Gadir, On behalf of The Republic of the Sudan. 
H.E. Pagan Amum Okiech, On behalf of The Republic of South Sudan.
Witnessed by:  H.E. Pierre Buyoya, On behalf of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel.
View full copy online at:
http://www.rssnegotiationteam.org/citizenship-and-the-status-of-nationals.html - or:
http://sites.tufts.edu/reinventingpeace/files/2012/09/Nationals-Agreement-2709120001.pdf

Oil

Full text of the September 27, 2012 agreement between the parties codifying August 3 agreement on oil transport fees, transitional financial arrangement, mutual forgiveness of oil related claims and resumption of oil production, processing and transportation.

Title:  Agreement between The Government of the Republic of South Sudan and The Government of the Republic of the Sudan on Oil and Related Economic Matters
Date:  Addis Ababa, 27 September 2012
Signed by: 
H.E. Idriss Abdel Gadir, On behalf of The Republic of the Sudan.
H.E. Pagan Amum Okiech, On behalf of The Republic of South Sudan.
Witnessed by:
H.E. Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, Chairperson, African Union High Level Implementation Panel, On behalf of the AUHIP.
View full copy online at: 
http://www.rssnegotiationteam.org/oil.html - or:
http://sites.tufts.edu/reinventingpeace/files/2012/09/Oil-Agreement-between-SudanSouth-Sudan0001.pdf
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Agreement on Modalities for the implementation of the Security Arrangements Agreement between Sudan and South Sudan

The "Agreement on Implementation Modalities", signed at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Friday 08 March 2013, commits Sudan and South Sudan to a set of actions beginning on “D‐Day”, Sunday 10 March 2013, including unconditional withdrawal of all forces to their side of the Safe Demilitarised Border Zone (SDBZ) and the deployment of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM), with logistical support and logistical protection provided by the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

Title:  Implementation Modalities for Security Arrangements agreed on 27th September 2012 Between The Republic of the Sudan and The Republic of South Sudan, Addis Ababa 08 March 2013
Date:  Addis Ababa, 08 March 2013
Signed by: 
H.E. 1st Lt. Gen (PSC) Eng. Abdul Raheem Mohammad Hussein, Minister of Defense, Government of Sudan.
H.E. Gen. John Kuong Nyuon, Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Government of South Sudan.
Witnessed by:
H.E. Gen. Abdulsalami A. Abubakar, African Union High Level Implementation Panel for Sudan and South Sudan.
View full copy online at:
http://radiotamazuj.org/en/article/document-implementation-modalities-security-arrangements - or:
http://radiotamazuj.org/sites/default/files/Sudan%20&%20South%20Sudan%20Implementation%20Modalities%20for%20Security%20Agreement.pdf
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Agreement on Implementation Matrix for Agreements

On Tuesday 12 March 2013, Sudan and South Sudan adopted an integrated Matrix to facilitate the coordinated implementation of their commitments as reflected in the Agreements referred to in the "Cooperation Agreement" of 27 September 2012.  In particular, the Parties shall be guided by the principle of good faith and the principles set forth in the Preamble of the "Cooperation Agreement".

Title:  ADOPTION OF IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX by The Republic of the Sudan And The Republic of South Sudan
Date: Addis Ababa, 12 March 2013
Signed by:
H.E. Idris Mohame Abdel Gader, On behalf of the Government of the Republic of the Sudan.
H.E Pagan Amum Okiech, On behalf of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan.
Witnessed by:
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, Chairperson, African Union High Level Implementation for Sudan and South Sudan, On behalf of the AUHIP.
View full copy (courtesy of Matthew Russell Lee, Inner City Press.com 12 March 2013) at:
http://www.innercitypress.com/sudansouthsudanmatrix031213icp.pdf
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POSTSCRIPT BY THE EDITOR OF SUDAN WATCH

Here's wishing all the Parties the very best of luck.  God bless all the peace makers and the children of Sudan and South Sudan and keep them from harm.  Please stop the greedy, ambitious evil doers and rebels and their misguided friends in Washington from promoting violence and sanctions in order to get what they want for themselves.  Violence and sanctions add to the suffering of poor and poorly people who are in urgent need of access to safe drinking water, food, shelter, medical care and security - not forgetting the welfare of animals and the wellbeing and voting rights of nomads.

Note that an additional agreement, entitled "Agreement on Temporary Arrangements for Administration and Security of the Abyei Area (TASA)", has been included in the Adoption of Implementation Matrix for Agreements between Sudan and South Sudan.  According to a Press Release issued by the African Union Commission, Tuesday 12 March 2013 (see full copy here below - courtesy of APO):   "The Implementation Matrix also includes an agreement on the modalities and timelines for the implementation of the Agreement on Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and Security of the Abyei Area, in particular the establishment of the Abyei Area Administration, the Abyei Area Council, and the Abyei Area Police. The Chairperson of the Commission urges Sudan and South Sudan to adhere to the timelines, which are necessary to ensure that the return of displaced persons and the seasonal migration of nomadic groups can continue in a peaceful atmosphere."

Press Release

The African Union welcomes the signing of the implementation matrix for the agreements signed between Sudan and South Sudan

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, March 12, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ – The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, welcomes the signing, in Addis Ababa, in the early hours of 12 March 2013, of the Implementation Matrix for the Agreements  between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan.

This Matrix elaborates the modalities for the implementation of the nine Agreements signed by President Omar Hassan al Bashir and President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Addis Ababa, on 27 September 2012.  It comes four days after the signing of the Implementation Modalities for Security Arrangements, during the extraordinary meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) held in Addis Ababa on 8 March 2013. The Implementation Matrix confirms D-Day for the implementation of all the Agreements as 10 March 2013. Among other things, this latest Agreement paves the way for the resumption of oil production and the transit of South Sudan’s oil through Sudan.

The Implementation Matrix also includes an agreement on the modalities and timelines for the implementation of the Agreement on Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and Security of the Abyei Area, in particular the establishment of the Abyei Area Administration, the Abyei Area Council, and the Abyei Area Police. The Chairperson of the Commission urges Sudan and South Sudan to adhere to the timelines, which are necessary to ensure that the return of displaced persons and the seasonal migration of nomadic groups can continue in a peaceful atmosphere.

The Chairperson also notes with appreciation that both governments have commenced withdrawal of their armed forces from their common border, as stipulated in the Agreement on Security Arrangements signed on 27 September 2012 and agreed in the Implementation Modalities for Security Arrangements signed on 8 March 2013.  She stresses that this augurs well for the full normalization of relations between the two countries.

The Chairperson of the Commission commends the leadership of the two countries for their commitment, and looks forward to the planned visit of President Al Bashir to Juba, as the next step in cementing mutually cooperative relations between them. The Chairperson of the Commission notes that the Final Status of the Abyei Area and the resolution of the Disputed and Claimed Areas are the only remaining outstanding issues, and expresses the belief that the positive atmosphere created by the most recent Agreements, and the commitment to their implementation, provide the basis for the resolution of these outstanding matters.

The Chairperson would like to thank President Thabo Mbeki and General Abdulsalami Abubakar, for their continued commitment and unstinting efforts to assist Sudan and South Sudan to resolve their outstanding issues and build two viable and mutually cooperative states.

Source:  African Union Commission (AUC)
http://appablog.wordpress.com/2013/03/12/the-african-union-welcomes-the-signing-of-the-implementation-matrix-for-the-agreements-signed-between-sudan-and-south-sudan/
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Related Reports

(Sudan Watch) - Saturday, 09 March 2013: 
Sudan, South Sudan sign agreement for implementation of security arrangements: "D-day is March 10 2013 plus 4 days" -Mbeki, AUHIP. UN Chief Ban Ki Moon welcomes new border agreements
http://sudanwatch.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/sudan-south-sudan-sign-agreement-for.html

(Sudan Watch) - Wednesday, 02 May 2012: 
FULL TEXT:  UN Security Council Report May 2012 Sudan and South Sudan
http://sudanwatch.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/full-text-un-security-council-report_02.html

(Sudan Watch) - Tuesday, 01 May 2012:
FULL TEXT:  African Union Peace and Security Council Roadmap for action by Sudan and South Sudan
http://sudanwatch.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/full-text-african-union-peace-and.html

Thank you for reading SUDAN WATCH.

Sudan, South Sudan sign agreement for implementation of security arrangements: "D-day is March 10 2013 plus 4 days" -Mbeki, AUHIP. UN Chief Ban Ki Moon welcomes new border agreements

GOOD news.  Sudan and South Sudan on Friday, 08 March 2013, signed an agreement for practical implementation of the security agreements, which the two countries signed in September last year. 

Defence ministers from both sides met on Friday for a new round of talks in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. to set up a buffer zone along their frontier.

The two countries signed the agreement at the conclusion of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) meeting started last Thursday (07 March) and co-chaired by Defence Ministers Abdel Rahim Muhammed Hussein of Sudan, and John Kong Nyuon of South Sudan in Addis Ababa.

The two Ministers together with former President Abubakar Abdulsalam of Nigeria on the side of the AUHIP signed the agreement for translation into action of the security agreements reached on September 27 in Addis Ababa.

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who chairs the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP), said the two had agreed to order their forces out of the demilitarised zone by 14 March 2013.

"D-day is March 10. The agreement calls for immediate orders (for withdrawal) to be issued within D-day plus four days," Mr. Mbeki told a news conference in Addis Ababa on Friday (08 March). 

The two countries will finish withdrawing their troops from the demilitarised zone by 05 April 2013, according to a timetable agreed by both sides seen by Reuters.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon welcomes the agreement signed on Friday (08 March) by Sudan and South Sudan on the establishment of the Safe Demilitarised Border Zone, the deployment of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism and the activation of all security related mechanisms as of 10 March 2013.  With this agreement, there should be no further conditions in the way of immediate implementation of the other signed 27 September agreements, including the agreement on oil.

According to tweet posted on Twitter by @AUHIP, AUHIP arrived in Addis Abba for the Sudans talks Wednesday, 06 March 2013. 

Here below are further details in a news round-up consisting of ten reports including a copy of:

- a report by VOA regarding the resignation of Sisto Olur Erista, the Secretary-General of the main opposition party in South Sudan, the SPLM-DC -- and news of a three-day meeting of the SPLM politburo being chaired by South Sudanese President Salva Kiir ahead of an extraordinary convention of the SPLM, which is scheduled to be held next week.

- a report by Sudan Vision Daily saying the Sudanese government considers that a report of the UN that JEM has a military base in South Sudan was a declaration of what was confirmed by Sudan that the Government of South Sudan harbours a number of Sudanese armed movements, including SPLM-N.  Sudan has been calling on Juba to refrain from hosting armed movements fighting the Sudanese government, as well as disengagement between it and the SPLM-N, according agreements signed between the two countries.

- a report by Xinhua featuring Ibrahim Ghandour, NCP official in charge of external relations, in an exclusive interview to Xinhua.  Mr. Ghandour noted that the negotiations in Addis Ababa follow up the implementation of what was agreed upon in September during the summit between the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his Southern Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir Mayardit.  Ghandour explained that the two countries mainly divide on the affiliation of the Mile (14) area and bicker over the link between South Sudan's army and the 9th and 10th infantry divisions in Sudan's South Kordofan and Blue Nile States.  "Resolving these two issues will likely to lead to the implementation of all the other agreements including the establishment of the demilitarised zone, demarcation of the joint border and resumption of South Sudan's oil pumping and exporting via Sudan's territories," noted Ghandour.  He further said that the oil issue has already been agreed on, explaining that "we are only looking forward to implementing the security measures because without security, the oil exportation will not be possible.  Security is the base of any successful economic cooperation between the two countries."

Note, on 01 March 2013 Russia assumed the rotating Presidency of the UN Security Council. 
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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon Latest Statements

UNITED NATIONS, New York, Friday 08 March 2013 - Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the establishment of the Safe Demilitarised Border Zone between Sudan and South Sudan and the activation of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism

The Secretary-General welcomes the agreement signed today by Sudan and South Sudan on the establishment of the Safe Demilitarised Border Zone, the deployment of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism and the activation of all security related mechanisms as of 10 March 2013.  With this agreement, there should be no further conditions in the way of immediate implementation of the other signed 27 September agreements, including the agreement on oil.

The Secretary-General reiterates the United Nations readiness to support the operations of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism  and assist the parties in the implementation of these agreements.

Source:  http://www.un.org/sg/statements/index.asp?nid=6644
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Ban welcomes new border agreements between Sudan and South Sudan

(UN News Centre) Friday 08 March 2013 - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed an agreement on signed today by Sudan and South Sudan which aim to strengthen border security and lead to the permanent resolution of outstanding issues between the two countries.

Today’s agreement, according to a statement [http://www.un.org/sg/statements/index.asp?nid=6644] released by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson, concerns the establishment of a safe demilitarised border zone, the deployment of a joint border verification and monitoring mechanism and the activation of agreed security-related mechanisms as of 10 March 2013.

Even though the birth of South Sudan was the culmination of a six-year peace process, which helped bring an end to the long-running conflict between South Sudan and Sudan, the peace between the two countries has been threatened by armed clashes along their common border and outstanding post-independence issues that have yet to be resolved, notably the status of the oil-rich area of Abyei.

Last year, the two countries’ leaders met in Ethiopia, reaching, on 27 September, a key framework agreement for cooperation on security, the common border and economic relations.

“With this agreement, there should be no further conditions in the way of immediate implementation of the other signed 27 September agreements, including the agreement on oil,” Mr. Ban’s spokesman said in his statement today.

Through today’s statement, the Secretary-General also reiterated the United Nations readiness to support the operations of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism and assist the parties in the implementation of these agreements, the spokesperson said.

Source:  http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=44328&Cr=sudan&Cr1=#.UTqa5Bl0F2I
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Sudan, South Sudan sign agreement for implementation of security arrangements

ADDIS ABABA, Friday 08 March 2013 (Xinhua) - Sudan and South Sudan on Friday signed agreement for practical implementation of the security agreements, which the two countries signed in September last year.

The two countries signed the agreement at the conclusion of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) meeting started last Thursday and co-chaired by Defence Ministers Abdel Rahim Muhammed Hussein of Sudan, and John Kong Nyuon of South Sudan here in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The JPSM has been discussing the implementation of the agreements that were signed in September last year, said former President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, who is Chairperson of the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP).

The two Ministers together with former President Abubakar Abdulsalam of Nigeria on the side of the AUHIP signed the agreement for translation into action of the security agreements reached on September 27 in Addis Ababa.

Stating that the JPSM meeting had been held in December, January and now to work on the practical implementation program, Mbeki said: "Fortunately and happily, those discussions have now been concluded."

They are not general documents; they are specific documents which will require implementation of all the elements of security agreements in last September, said Mbeki.

(Editor: yan)
Source:  http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-03/09/c_132219567.htm
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Sudan, South to withdraw forces from border zone

ADDIS ABABA, Friday 08 March 2013 3:35pm EST (Reuters) - Sudan and South Sudan agreed on Friday to order their forces out of a demilitarised border zone within a week, a mediator said, possibly opening the way to the resumption of oil exports from the south.

South Sudan seceded from the north in 2011 after decades of war but border disputes and disagreements over oil pipeline fees have dragged on, delaying much-needed economic development.

The landlocked South shut down its oil production of 350,000 barrels per day more than a year ago during a row over how much it should pay the north to pipe its crude to a coastal terminal for export.

With oil the lifeline of both economies, the move has strained their state budgets, weakened currencies, stoked inflation and worsened economic hardship.

Defence ministers from both sides met on Friday for a new round of talks in Addis Ababa to set up a buffer zone along their frontier.

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who chairs an African Union mediation panel, said the two had agreed to order their forces out of the demilitarised zone by March 14.

"D-day is March 10. The agreement calls for immediate orders (for withdrawal) to be issued within d-day plus four days," he told a news conference in the Ethiopian capital.

The two countries will finish withdrawing their troops from the demilitarised zone by April 5, according to a timetable agreed by both sides seen by Reuters.

The former civil war foes have made a number of agreements about border security in the past, but have failed to implement them.

After teetering on the brink of full-scale conflict in April with the worst border clashes since their split, the two countries agreed in September to set up a buffer zone, which could defuse tensions enough for the South to resume oil output.

But neither side had pulled its army back from the almost 2,000-km (1,200-mile) border due to the mistrust left over from one of Africa's longest civil wars.

Friday's talks were the first in nearly two months.  Two meetings between Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and South Sudan's Salva Kiir in Addis Ababa in January failed to break the stalemate.

Animosity runs high between Bashir's government in Khartoum and his former foes up the Nile in Juba.

Nearly 2 million people died in the north-south civil war, which left South Sudan economically devastated and awash with guns.

Khartoum accuses Juba of backing rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-North) in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, two Sudan states bordering the South.

The SPLM-North, made up of fighters who sided with the South during the civil war, controls part of the Sudan side of the border, which complicates setting up the buffer zone.

South Sudan has denied supporting the rebels.

(Reporting by Aaron Maasho; Editing by Alexander Dziadosz and Jon Hemming)
Source:  http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/08/us-sudan-south-borders-idUSBRE92711H20130308
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Sudan, South Sudan agree to pull troops from demilitarised zone

(CNN) Friday 08 March 2013; 23:31 GMT (07:31 HKT) - Sudan and South Sudan signed an agreement Friday to soon withdraw their respective military forces from a demilitarised zone between the two African countries, officials from both nations said.

Signed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the deal was brokered by former South African President Thabo Mbeki. Defence ministers from both Sudan and South Sudan promised they'd implement the agreement later this month.

South Sudan became independent from Sudan in July 2011, following a popular referendum. But the two nations have remained at odds on some issues, including defining their borders and oil exports.

(Reporting by CNN Staff)
Source:  http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/08/world/africa/sudan-south-sudan-agreement/
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South Sudan opposition feuds as ruling SPLM meets

(Voice of America News) Thursday 07 March 2013 - The secretary general of the main opposition party in South Sudan, the SPLM-DC, has resigned, accusing the exiled chairman of his party of stoking divisions.

SPLM-DC Secretary General Sisto Olur Erista said party chair, Lam Akol, has encouraged tribalism in the party.

Akol, who went into exile after South Sudan became independent in July 2011, saying he felt his life was in danger, denied the charges in a telephone interview with VOA News from the Middle East.

As the SPLM-DC was riven by divisions, the ruling SPLM party's political bureau, the main decision-making body of the party, gathered for the first time since the country gained independence two years ago, to discuss changing the party's constitution and manifesto.

The last time the political bureau of the SPLM met was in April 2008, which was also the last time the party held elections.

SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum told reporters before the closed-door politburo meeting that one thing to be discussed is how to help win over voters to the party.

The three-day meeting of the SPLM politburo is being chaired by South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, and comes ahead of an extraordinary convention of the SPLM, which is scheduled to be held next week.
Source:  http://www.voanews.com/content/south-sudan-opposition-feud-ruling-splm-meets/1617088.html
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Interview: Khartoum's ruling NCP urges Juba to show political will to overcome differences

KHARTOUM, Wednesday 06 March 2013 (Xinhua) - Sudan's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) urged the South Sudanese government Wednesday to show the necessary political will to overcome the differences between the two countries ahead of their new round of negotiations.

"We are looking forward to an active political will on the part of our brothers in South Sudan to reach a comprehensive settlement for the issues of difference," said Ibrahim Ghandour, NCP official in charge of external relations, in an exclusive interview to Xinhua.

He noted that the negotiations, slated to resume in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Thursday [07 March], will follow up the implementation of what was agreed upon in September during the summit between the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his Southern Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir Mayardit.

He explained that the two countries mainly divide on the affiliation of the Mile (14) area and bicker over the link between South Sudan's army and the 9th and 10th infantry divisions in Sudan's South Kordofan and Blue Nile States.

"Resolving these two issues will likely to lead to the implementation of all the other agreements including the establishment of the demilitarized zone, demarcation of the joint border and resumption of South Sudan's oil pumping and exporting via Sudan's territories," noted Ghandour.

He further said that the oil issue has already been agreed on, explaining that "we are only looking forward to implementing the security measures because without security, the oil exportation will not be possible. Security is the base of any successful economic cooperation between the two countries."

Ghandour expressed optimism over this round of talks, saying "I expect it to be more positive than the previous ones, but we are looking forward to an active will on the part of South Sudan's leadership."

"After the conclusion of the presidential meeting in September, they refused to implement the agreement regarding the Mile (14) area despite the fact that it was signed by President Salva Kiir," said Ghandour. "They also rejected the border agreement despite the fact that it was presented by the technical committee to the two presidents who signed  it."

That said, Ghandour reiterated the NCP's commitment to what was agreed on with the south.

The African Union mediation, led by Thabo Mbeki, recently urged Sudan and South Sudan to resume their talks.

He urged the two countries to implement what they have agreed on and fulfill their commitments, warning them against any unjustified delay.

Mbeki is also expected to ask the two countries' presidents to meet on the sidelines of the forthcoming African Union summit in Addis Ababa, since recent rounds of talks between Khartoum and Juba have ended without any progress.

On Sept. 27, Sudan and South Sudan signed a package of agreements on various issues during a presidential summit in the capital of Ethiopia.

Witnessed by the members of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel on Sudan, the two sides inked three deals on cooperation, security and post-secession matters. However, the signed agreements did not tackle the issues of Abyei and border demarcation.

(Editor: yan)
Source:  http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-03/07/c_132213922.htm
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Sudan, South Sudan to resume security talks in Addis Ababa Thursday

KHARTOUM, Wednesday 06 March 2013; 17:10:32 (Xinhua) - Meetings of the joint political and security committee between Sudan and South Sudan are to resume on Thursday [07 March] in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa after failing to resume by mid of last February, Khartoum's Al-Intibaha daily reported Wednesday.

"The political and security committee of Sudan and South Sudan will resume its meetings in Addis Ababa on Thursday with the participation of the two countries' defence ministers," the report said.

"Khartoum is adherent to its proposal according to the security agreement signed by the two countries," the paper quoted a security source in the committee as saying, noting that the Sudanese government delegation has left for Addis Ababa.

However, until Tuesday Juba has not yet submitted its proposals to the African committee of experts regarding the border differences, the report said.

It added that the African Union mediation mechanism on the outstanding issues between the two countries was expected to present a negotiating document to Sudan's delegation concerning the negotiation with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector.

Head of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel on Sudan (AUHIP) Thabo Mbeki has recently called on Sudan and South Sudan to resume the negotiations with the participation of what he termed as key players.

Mbeki expressed hope that the coming round of negotiations between Khartoum and Juba would be successful.

On September 27 last year, Sudan and South Sudan signed a package of agreements on various issues during a presidential summit in the capital of Ethiopia.

Witnessed by the AUHIP members, the two sides inked three deals on cooperation, security and post-secession matters.

However, the signed agreements did not tackle the issues of Abyei and border demarcation.

Though months elapsed since the two sides have signed the cooperation agreement, yet they failed to implement it on the ground.

(Editor: Sha Sha)
Source:  http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/africa/2013-03/06/c_132213397.htm
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Sudan delegate: UN Security Council supports Sudan position

KHARTOUM, Friday 08 March 2013 (Sudan Vision Daily) - Representative of the Sudan to the UN, Ambassador Dafallah Al-Haj Ali said that the assurances of the UNSC sanctions team that the South government harbouring the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the presence of SPLA forces in a number of Sudanese locations considered the first document issued by the UN and matches what demanded by the Sudan to the Government of the State of South Sudan to lift her hand on the armed movements and rebels support.

Ambassador Ali said that the report of the Sanctions Committee in this regard is as a result of the complaints that have been provided by Sudan's mission to the Security Council about the excesses of Juba government and its support for the rebels. He revealed that Sudan's mission will ask the Security Council to take clear action to pressure on the South government to stop its support of the rebel movements.

On the other hand, the government considered that the report of the UN that JEM has a military base in South Sudan was a declaration of what was confirmed by Sudan that the Government of South Sudan harbours a number of Sudanese armed movements, including SPLM-N.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Abu Bakr Mohamed Al-Amin said, in a press statement, that the report represents an evidence from an international body, which cannot be accused of bias for Sudan.

He added that Sudan has been calling on Juba to refrain from hosting armed movements fighting the Sudanese government, as well as disengagement between it and the SPLM-N, according agreements signed between the two countries.

(Reporting by Staff Writer)
Source:  http://news.sudanvisiondaily.com/details.html?rsnpid=220261
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Postscript by the Editor of SUDAN WATCH

On March 01, 2013 Russia assumed the rotating Presidency of the UN Security Council.

The main theme of Russian presidency will be Afghan reconciliation.

Russian presidency will focus on problems of Middle East and further efforts of the Quartet to accomplish all-encompassing regional reconciliation.  The UN SC work on reconciliation Sudan and Southern Sudan will be continued.

The Security Council will consider the situation in Southern Sudan and the activity if the deployed there UN peacekeeping mission. 

Issues of the activity of the UN SC Commissions for Iran sanctions, for Somalia and Eritrea will be touched upon.

Full story at:  http://www.thepresidentpost.com/?p=25942

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